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Marc Spelmann Special user London U.K. 666 Posts |
He started out on Channel 4 initially with Mind Control, then Mind Control 2 and then E4 took repeats of the show and edited all together in a Mind Control series. He did however start out main stream on Channel 4.
I am sure Derren will be a huge success, especially if he does the Russian Roulette and Sceance themes in the US. They are the things that really took him into the main stream here in the daily papers.. Both were massively complained about which is great PR as people believed them. Maybe it will take a little longer in the US because when he broke out over here there was literally nothing on our screens, magic and most certainly mentalism, we had David Blaine.. The US does have two VERY big charactures in Blaine and now Angel so it maybe harder to stand out.. I wish them all success, I love being treated to shows both live and on TV.. Have a good weekend all.. Spelmann
It's not goodbye, just see you later...
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LauraCalder New user 79 Posts |
Quick thought.
The BMX/Simon Pegg effect was a stunner, and if I recall correctly, it was performed on the second series of Trick of the Mind - Derren's third series in total. I think the effect works perfectly on its own, but it's even more fantastic at that particular phase of Derren's career because it uses the intelligent layperson's knowledge against them. By then most smart non-magicians were explaining Derren's skills in terms of NLP, which is why the BMX trick and it's accompanying televised "explanation" becomes too beautiful for words when you kind of think you "know" what Derren Brown's about. It's a trick that works on a normal level and an esoteric level. So maybe it's better if he saves something like that for his second series. Anyone else think that, or am I reading too much in? |
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brainchild Loyal user Ideological Bigot 259 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-27 17:44, salsa_dancer wrote: Strongly disagree with you here. No one says we don't have the capacity for "intelligent" viewing that the British public has. You are definitely projecting here. After all, we left for a reason. But I will say again that I am disappointed by the production. -B. |
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DrNorth Veteran user North Starr Entertainment, Harrisburg PA 364 Posts |
I am not sure if it's mentalisim or not. I suppose it is. I am sure we missed a lot of what could be "set-up" for time constraints and lack of "pow"( he did say it took a half an hour to prep the mall goers to raise their hands, that would have not been good TV).
But I can't help but suspect we didn't see a lot for a myriad of reasons. If he is simply using carefully phrased sentences (Anyone remember SNL's subliminal man?) we didn't get to see the half hour of mining he may have done to the models or the shopkeeper and the blank bills (that seems to imply that had we seen all he said and did anyone could pay for stuff with paper). This new wave of TV magic seems to be misleading all around anymore. See my Angel/Blaine rants. Maybe I am old fashioned but dated as the styles are Copperfield was the best TV magician and his stuff still holds up. Maybe I am also getting too jaded as a magician and it's harder to sit back and watch without trying to figure it out. "For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell" ~Galadriel "A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes." |
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LauraCalder New user 79 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-27 17:52, Marc Spelmann wrote: Thank you for correcting me. My memory is hazy. Brainchild, can you go into detail about what you mean by the production being bad? (Sorry, I know little about things behind the scenes of tv). |
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brainchild Loyal user Ideological Bigot 259 Posts |
Sure Laura.
To iterate, my problem with last nights show was not with Derren. He is a master of his domain and I respect him very much. I am a big fan of him. Also, I make my living making television. So when I watch tv, it's hard for me to watch it like a normal viewer. I critically view the screen direction, each composition, the color, and edits a lot more than any viewer ever would. I do this because it's what I am paid to do and I do pride myself on making sure every project I am involved with is high end. Through my eyes, the production of the show was not nearly as high end, or as intelligent as I was expecting. For starters, they opened with the raising hands in the mall bit. Of all the amazing Derren Brown bits to greet America with, this was a pretty bad choice. As Gabelson was saying, its kind of like an unknown comic walking into a packed club and opening up with a bad joke. Not exactly the smartest idea. From there, he went into bits that were as equally dull. I thought his VO's (voice overs) were poorly written, and just as boring. Also, I thought the show could have been much tighter. All the bits went on a little too long and seemed to be lacking the 'zing', if you will, that makes Derren Brown unique. There was no magical arc to the show. It was pretty much flat the whole time. A lot of times in television there are "too many cooks in the kitchen". That could be either too many "meddlers" from the network, or too many producers. And while I am not certain, this could be the case here. One way that television differs from movies is in the role of Executive Producer. The majority of the time in movies, the title of Executive Producer is given to the individual who secures or provides the financial backing for the movie and is rarely a creative role. In television, this is very different. The EP in television is one of the most creative roles and can impact a show more greatly than any other position. Usually the best shows have a very hands on EP. In the case of Derrens show, I know his manager was credited as Executive Producer and I seriously doubt he did much more than arrange for the deal and reap the financial rewards. Who does that leave the creative decisions for? The network? Unless they have a staff mentalist, I doubt they know the best way to program a show like this. More than one time in my career has a show been bungled by the network. Hopefully Sci-Fi can turn this thing around. Perhaps I was expecting too much. I do hope I am wrong about this whole thing. I have been looking forward to this series for quite a while. Hopefully it gets good ratings. I will know about that more next week. |
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Roth Inner circle The 18 5090 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-27 15:39, entity wrote: Word. |
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ElliottB Inner circle 3250 Posts |
Darn. I don't have cable. I guess there's always DVD...
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Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
Gabelson wrote:
Quote:
No one is a bigger fan of Derren's than I am.... and I'll probably get burned alive for saying this... but I found the show surprisingly lackluster. I've seen all his shows from the UK- stage and Chan. 4, and I'm always blown away by Derren's sheer talent, his stage "chops", the quality of production, etc. Yet last night's show began with Derren getting a bunch of people at a mall to raise their HANDS?? WTF? Most people watching probably did think, "I know how he did that!" or even, "That is obvious!" And, I expect Derren Brown, or his director, wanted them to think that. By starting with this simple manipulation that people could easily see through, it stopped many people from thinking, 'this is absurd and unbelievable', and then changing the channel. It also it made Derren Brown seem like a superman once he moved on to unfathomable effects. The way I see it, that short routine was an introduction to the character he was playing and it was intended to cause as many people as possible to accept that character.
Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch" |
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Blindside785 Inner circle Olympia, WA 4541 Posts |
I loved seeing Derren Brown hit the US. I'm sure I'll hear mention of him when I go back to school for my junior year. My 5 brothers are the normal laymen, without my mention of anything about how his effects were done or a hint they thought he was better and more devilish (awesome) than Criss Angel or David Blaine.
People who are to dislike just don't have the patience for the very little "theater" of the effects and want some Criss Angel effects. |
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Blackwood Special user Mind-Play 528 Posts |
It seemed to me that it was the American segments that didn't work as well. I kept thinking "that was a little sharper in the British version." The sections didn't seem as well-filmed or edited. Maybe Sci-Fi has the boy on a tight budget?
The re-run British material was just as it was originally cut, I'd imagine – so that couldn't be the pacing problem some folks are (IMO correctly) sensing. And I was surprised that as much as 60-70% of the material WAS older. (I hope sharp-eyed American viewers aren't completely bumfuzzled by Darren's hair, which ebbed and regrew from old scene to new – his bald spot opened and closed all evening like a whale's blowhole.) I was worried that they just quickly launched into the first segments without much time for DB to introduce himself to a whole new audience and set the tone and "explanation" for the mysteries. Didn't the intro seem hurried and low-key? Plus... Is it my imagination, or did Derren dampen his "attitude" in the American segments? He went kind of hi, I'm a nice guy bland. In England, he's seemingly mastered a balance between Arrogant Edwardian Dandy and Derren Brown, Really Nice Chap. Maybe he just hasn't found the right balance for his "American" persona. Still... If I have faith that any mystery entertainer understands how to frame, routine and present this material, I have faith that the DB braintrust will know how to tighten any flaws as they go. |
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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
This was the first time I had ever seen Derren. I have not even watched any of the YouTube cuts. I told my family about how well he is received in the UK. We sat down in front of the TV with great anticipation.
** WARNING ** The following is my opinion and may contain carbon monoxide: Fifteen minutes into the show I started this thread. I have to agree with the others that have stated the mall bit was not a good opener. The first conductor bit seemed sooooooo slow. The blank paper bit with the fish seemed to lack any excitement. I taped it and plan to watch it in it's entirety another day. No matter what may be up your sleeve for the future, the first couple minutes of a show has to play big. If not, it takes a long time to get the momentum back. From what I have read, he must have stronger material than what was displayed in the opening segment. He lost me during that time. I'm not convinced that TV is the best venue (or even a good one) for this type of mentalism. I'm sure it would be stronger in a live stage show. The verdict is still out as to how Derren will do here in the States with future shows. Now to put my comments into pespective for those of you who are planning to ask; No. I do not have my own TV show. I don't even own one of those new big screen TVs. No, I am not a professional mentlist. I can't even spell it correctly! No, I'm not related to Criss Angel or David Blaine. But hey, I do like Kreskin! Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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chichi711 Inner circle 5810 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-27 17:44, salsa_dancer wrote: Judging from some reactions of people I talked to today this show will work rather well in the USA. I didn't even know people watched SciFi here. I guess a lot do and all of them loved this show. I am not looking forward to the "Derren Clones" here in the USA, but other than that I really enjoyed the show. Nothing new for me. I had seen all this stuff before. (Thanks Steve}!! |
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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
OK, all you performers out there, a question: what is the absolute first thing you must do when you step out on stage? Or, perhaps, first appear on TV in a new country?
a) Blow the audience away with a great trick. b) Get them with your slick production values. c) Get the audience to LIKE YOU. Correct answer?--Well you should know. And if you do, you understand the opening to Derren's show. He appeared, introduced himself, explained what he did, smiled. Then a fun little item that showed him influencing a large number of people. He eased people into what he was doing and then made the effects more and more impossible. And I would suggest that some of you expert critics out there read what real TV critics have said. The New York Times, The NY Post, the Boston Globe, Variety gave the show excellent reviews. Now, great reviews do not guarantee success, but they certainly can give a show a good push. I suspect that SciFi, Objective Productions, and Derren know exactly what they are doing. That's why they didn't need to consult you on how to do the show. Sometimes some of you sound like a bunch of bankers. |
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
Where are the Bean Counters here who follow all of the stats about market share and the like? How did he do that way?
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts |
Interesting post Bob.
You do magic tricks don't ya? (I could tell). J ack H.O.A-X
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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howdoidisconnect Elite user Just outside the cafe window 429 Posts |
I do look forward to the day when you post something constructive.
-Tony Iacoviello |
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DJM Inner circle Israel 1681 Posts |
Thanks for the link!
Anyone noticed Derren didn't mentioned "Magic, misdrection and showmanship" in the discalimer? He recieved some complaints about that in this early years, and now he does it again. Pretty weird. |
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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-27 21:58, Jim-Callahan wrote: ****! Are you psychic or what? Bob |
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
Jim's just crazy that way
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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